Movable stripping and guiding mechanism

ABSTRACT

A film handling mechanism in a processing camera for relatively deflecting processing waste materials away from an imagerecording section of a self-processing film unit to separate the waste materials from the image-recording section after the initiation of processing. The mechanism includes a pair of pivotally mounted fingers for deflecting the waste materials into a first path toward a collecting chamber in one position of the fingers and for directing the image-recording section along a second path exiting from the camera in another position of the fingers.

United States Patent [191 Appl. No.: 268,936

Harvey Nov. 13, 1973 [5 MOVABLE STRIPPING AND GUIDING rimary ExaminerRichard M. Sheer MECHANISM Attorney-W. H. J. Kline et al.

L75] Inventor: Donald M. Harvey, Webster, NY.

A d C [57] ABSTRACT 3] Sslgnee' Eastman K0 ak ompany A film handling mechanism in a processing camera for Rochester, NY.

relatively deflecting processing waste materials away [22] Filed: July 5, 1972 from an image-recording section of a self-processing film unit to separate the waste materials from the image-recording section after the initiation of processing. The mechanism includes a pair of pivotally mounted fingers for deflecting the waste materials into a first path toward a collecting chamber in one position of the fingers and for directing the image-recording section along a second path exiting from the camera in another position of the fingers.

23 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 166 |o Q I84 I92 13 I48' 106 -96 J 1 Yfl/ PATENIEBNHV i ms SHEET 1 [IF 5 PAIENIEUunv 13 ms 3371.426

sum 2 [IF 5 WEE-i BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to processing photographic' cameras and more specifically to processing cameras including means for separating processing waste materials, such as exhausted fluid containers, from image-recordingsections of self-processing film units after the processing of such units has been initiated.

Cameras and film units of the type most closely associated with the present invention are illustrated and described in my US. Pat. applications Ser. No. 111,467 entitled PI-IOTOGRAPl-IIC APPARATUS, filed on Feb. 1, 1971 and now abandoned; Ser. No. 111,471 en-j titled FILM UNIT, filed on Feb. 1, 1971 and now abancloned; and' Ser. No. 268,932, entitled Pl-IOTO GRAPHIC FILM UNIT, filed on even date herewith. Such film units generally comprise an image-recording section and a container of processing composition releasably coupled to the image-recording section by a resiliently flexible carrier or card. The cameras are adapted to receive and sequentially expose a plurality of the film units supplied to the camera in a film pack or magazine. After each exposure, the exposed film unit is processed by endwise movement through a processing nip between a pair of pressure-applying members to distribute the processing composition from the container across the image-recording section. As the leading end of the film unit passes through the processing nip, the carrier is engaged along its lateral edges by spaced guide members that deflect the carrier and container rearwardly around one of the pressure-applying members and into a storage compartment located in the film pack casing behind the remaining unexposed film units. The image-recording section is sufficiently stiff to resist such deflection, and is narrower than the carrier'so it will not follow the carrier and container, but will move along a generally rectilinear path between the spaced guide members to an exit slot provided in the camera housing. In this manner, the carrier and container are stripped from the image-recording section and are delivered to the storage compartment. After the entire stack of available film units has been exposed and processed, all of the waste materials, e.g., the carriers and exhausted containers, are located in the storage compartment of the film pack casing, which is then removed from the camera and discarded.

Film units and cameras-of the above-described type are believed to be quite satisfactory, and present many' advantages not obtainable with previously known systems. The applicant has found, however, that still further advantages can be realized in accordance with his present invention. By way of example only, in the film units and cameras disclosed in the above-mentioned applications, the carrier, or at least a portion thereof, is wider than the image-recording section, and the guide members are spaced apart by an amount greater than the width of the image-recording section, so that the guide members will engage and deflect the lateral edges of the carrier while permitting the image recording section to pass between the guide members. Such an arrangement is not'conducive to compactness, an important goal, at least in amateur photography, because the pack and camera all are wider than otherwise might be necessary. Similarly, the stripping or separation of the carrier and container from the imagerecording section is not effected as positively as might be desired, making the coupling between the carrier and the image-recording section a somewhat critical manufacturing procedure to insure that the imagerecording section will not remain attached to and follow the carrier to the waste storage chamber. Even a partial stripping failure may be enough to pull the image-recording section out of alignment with the camera exit slot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, the applicant has found that the above and other disadvantages of the above-mentioned film units and cameras can be overcome in a processing camera having a more positive stripping mechanism including guide members that need not be spaced as wide apart relative to the imagerecording section and that can be used with film units having no part wider'than the image-recording section.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, an improved processing camera is provided for more positivelyvseparating processing waste materials from animage-recording section of a self-processing film unit and for more certainly directing both the waste materials and the image-recording section into their intended paths.

Another important object of the invention is to achieve the foregoing improvements by relatively simple and reliable means that do not significantly complicate or increase the production cost of such cameras or the film units with which they are employed.

Yet another object of the invention is to simplify and improve the compactness of waste-collecting processing cameras and corresponding film units and packs by providing such cameras with a reliable stripping and/or guiding mechanism useable with film units that need have no part wider than the image-recording section.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a stripping mechanism in such cameras that engages and guides or deflects the image-recording section to its intended path at the moment of separation between the image-recording section and the processing waste materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a stripping and guiding mechanism that can operate more closely to the nip between the pressure-applying members where the location and security of the film unit are more certain and where stripping occurs closer to driving forces exerted on the film unit.

Briefly, these and other related objectives are realized in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention by providing a processing camera having particular utility with film units including a notched and strippable carrier sheet that need have no portion wider than the image-recording section. The camera includes pivotal stripping and guiding fingers having a first position for engaging and deflecting the carrier along one path and a second position for engaging and directing the image-recording section along another path. The fingers are located with their ends closely adjacent to the pressure members, or even received in aligned grooves in the members, to engage the carrier as soon as it exits from the nip between the members. As the leading end of a carrier first emerges from the pressure nip, it encounters the fingers in their first positions to deflect the carrier rearwardly around one of the pressure-applying members. Thereafter, the fingers are resiliently urged toward their second'positions and drop through the notches in the carrier as the carrier continues to move through the nip. The fingers then are located rearwardly of the lateral edges of the image-recording section and direct it over the fingers to positively separate the carrier from the imagerecording section while guiding the latter toward the slot through which it emerges from the camera. Because the stripping fingers are movable from a first position, intercepting the path of movement of the film unit from the pressure-applying members, to a second position under the path of movement of the image-' recording section, they need not be spaced by an amount greater than the width of the image-recording section, and the camera, as well as the film units and pack, can be made more compact. After the imagerecording section has been separated from the carrier and been driven entirely from between the pressureapplying members, the fingers again are returned to their respective first positions in preparation for the next successive film processing cycle.

Various means for practicing the invention and other advantages and novel features thereof will be apparent from the following detailed description of an illustrative preferred embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters denote like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-processing film unit useable with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the film unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the film unit illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4'is a perspective view of a film pack comprising a plurality of film units of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the film pack depicted in FIG. 4; I

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view depicting relative relationships between the illustrative film pack and a processing mechanism constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the mechanism depicted in FIG. 6, illustrating that mechanism in its initial or first position;

FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 7 but illustrates the mechanism in its second position;

FIG. 9 is a simplified side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, depicting the manner in which the separating fingers move from their first position to their second position by passing through the plane of the carrier sheet to separate the image-recording section from the carrier sheet; and

FIG. 10 is similar to. FIG. 9 but shows the meansby which a plurality of successive carrier sheets are delivered to the film pack storage compartment in overlapping shingled relation to each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Because photographic cameras and film units of the self-processing type are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of or cooperating more directly with the present invention. Camera and film elements not specifically shown or described herein are selectable from those known in the prior art.

A preferred film unit for use with the present invention is illustrated at 10 and comprises an imagerecording section 12, a processing fluid container or pod l4 and a carrier sheet 16 for releasably coupling the container or pod to the image-recording section.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the section 12 comprises a photosensitive element or first sheet 18 and a transparent second element or process sheet 20 that is permanently attached to the photosensitive element along its lateral and trailing edges as shown by the shaded areas 22 in that figure. For purposes of clarity, permanent connections between the different elements of the film unit are depicted by areas shaded with dots and separable connections are illustrated by areas shaded with dashes. Mask sheets 24 and 26 are permanently bonded to the corresponding outer faces of the photosensitive element and process sheet and include respective openings 28 and 30 that define the image or picture area. The trailing end portions of the two sheets 18 and 20 are provided with respective rectangular openings 32 and 34 that are staggered relative to each other so that each opening 32 straddles the separating bar 35 between two of the confronting openings 34. A very thin sheet of moisture-resistant material 36 is folded and cemented to itself along its lateral edges 38 and is bonded to the confronting surfaces of the photosensitive and process sheets along its leading edges as shown by bonding areas 40. Sheet 36 thus forms an envelope that is open at its leading end to receive excess processing fluid driven beyond the picture area of the print card during the processing operation. Because the envelope provided by sheet 36 lies between the opposed openings in the two sheets 18 and 20, the envelope can expand slightly into those openings to accommodate the excess processing fluid. The staggered alignment of openings 32 and 34 tends to prevent the fluid from being squeezed out of the trap by accidental finger pressure. This particular type of image-recording or print section is designated as a preregistered integral unit with a permanently connected trap. Other exam ples of related film units are illustrated and described in more detail in my previously mentioned applications. A chemical system useable with such film units is disclosed in German Pat. No. 2,052,145, published Apr. 29, I971. The term preregistered" is used for film units having a photosensitive element and a process sheet that are superposed or registered prior to exposure, preferably at some stage during the manufacture of the film unit, and the term integral" refers to the fact that the element and sheet are permanently maintained in superposed or registered relationship even after processing.

The carrier sheet 16 comprises a sheet of resiliently flexible material, such as a 0.005-inch-thick sheet of polyester film base material, having a leading end or section approximately the same width, as and in longitudinal alignment with, the image-recording section. Toward its trailing end, the carrier sheet is cut or notched along its edges as shown at numeral 42 to define a tongue 44 that is narrower than the imagerecording section. This tongue, in turn, is strippably or separably coupled to the image-recording section by means of a rupturable adhesive 46 applied to the trailing corners of the tongue confronting the end 48 of mask sheet 26 beyond the exposure area. By reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the tongue extends beyond the leading edge of the image-recording section so that the notches or lateral openings 42 in the carrier sheet are in endwise alignment with the leading corners of that section.

At its leading end, the carrier sheet is provided with a transverse stiffening bar 50 of the same general type disclosed in greater detail in my U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,940 entitled FILM HANDLING IM- PROVEMENT, filed on even date herewith. This stiffening bar comprises a'strip of metal folded over and crimped to the leading edge of the carrier sheet.

Toward each end, the rearward face of the stiffening bar includes an integral tab or ear 52, one of which is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. These tabs or ears, in turn, are in endwise alignment with corresponding slots 54 in the carrier sheet and serve to facilitate the manipulation of the film units as described in detail below.

The two sheets 18 and 20 of the image-recording section are rectangular and coextensive with one another and are premanently joined along their margins, as previously mentioned, whereby their central exposure regions are maintained in registration but may be spread apart sufficiently to permit the distribution of a processing composition or fluid therebetween. The photosensitive sheet is exposed through the transparent process sheet and, after processing, is viewed from the opposite end, thus providing a positive right-reading image without necessitating recourse to imagereversing mirrors or the like in the camera. The processing fluid introduced between the two sheets includes an opacifier that protects the photosensitive element from further expo sure when the image-recording section is removed'from the camera for the completion of processing. I

An adhesive material 56 permanently attaches the container or pod 14 to the carrier sheet 16 between the leadingend of the image-recording section and the stiffening bar at the leading end of the carrier sheet. As best depicted in FIG. 2, container 14 comprises a sheet 58 of vapor-impervious materials, that is chemically inert to the relatively caustic processing fluid. Representative examples of such containers are disclosed in a number of patent references well known'to those skilled in the art of self-processing cameras. Typically,

the sheet 58 is made of paper and plastic layers laminated to a thin layer of lead foil. Sheet 58 is folded along one edge as shown at numeral 60 and is sealed along its lateral margins 62 by a permanent cement or adhesive or by means of an appropriate heat sealing operation of the equivalent. A rupturable or separable transverse joint or seal 64 extends between the permanently sealed margins 62 of sheet 58, thus defining a rupturable separation between the processing fluid chamber 66 and the funnel portion 68 of the pod. The pod funnel 68, in turn, is inserted between the leading edges of the photosensitive and process sheets but is not cemented or otherwise mechanically attached to the image-recording section. When the processing fluid pod passes through the nip between twoopposed pressure members in the camera, the resulting hydraulic forces developed within chamber 66 cause joint 64 to rupture so that the processing fluid is delivered between the two sheets of the recording section through funnel 68 and is distributed across the exposed image on the photosensitive sheet. As previously described, excess processing fluid driven beyond 'the exposed image is collected in the envelope or chamber provided by trap sheet 36.

A plurality of film units of the type described above are supplied in a film pack or magazine 70, best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The casing 72 of the film pack is made of plastic and/or sheet metal and includes a forward or film compartment 74 and a rearward or storage compartment 76 partially depicted in FIG. 5. The film units 10 are initially housed in the film compartment 74 in stacked relation relative to each other. A pressure plate 78 is located rearwardly of the film units in the film compartment and is urged forwardly by a resilient leaf spring 80 to compress the stack of film units lightly against the forward lips 82 of the casing. The carrier sheets 16 of the film units extend beyond the corresponding end of the pressure plate and are maintained in spaced relation relative to'each other by the ears or tabs 52 projecting rearwardly from their respective stiffening bars. The forward edge 84 of the film compartment end wall 86 is located slightly rearwardly of the stiffening bar 50 of the'film unit in exposure position and is provided with two notches 88 aligned with the corresponding bar ears 52, thus allowing that film unit to be moved endwise out of the film compartment. The casing lips 82 terminate adjacent to the leading end of the image-recording section in its exposure position to allow the pawl teeth of a feeder device to enter slots 54 in the corresponding carrier sheet and thereby engage the stiffening bar attached thereto. Storage compartment 76 extends beyond end wall 86 of the film compartment and is provided with a forwardly facing opening 90 through which the excess elements of the processed film units are delivered into the storage compartment behind a relatively weak leaf spring 92 mounted to wall 86.

Initially, an opaque cover element is located forwardly of the forwardmost film unit to protect that unit from ambient light. After the film pack has been loaded into the camera, the cover element is removed. This element can be substantially identical to the film units except that no container or pod is provided on the carrier sheet and an opaque disposable card is substituted for the recording section. For purposes of clarity, however, the cover element has been omitted in the accomppanying drawings.

The housing of the camera is partially depicted at numeral 94 in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 and is provided with a hinged rearward cover door 96 that can be opened to permit insertion of the film pack into the housing. In its illustrated loaded position, the film pack is engaged by appropriate support surfaces of the housing, not shown, which locate the exposure surface of the forwardmost recording section in coincidence with a focal plane of the camera lens. After the film pack has been loaded into the camera and the cover element has been removed from the film compartment, the leadng end of the film unit in exposure position is located in endwise alignment with the processing nip between two processing members, which are depicted as'comprising a rearward or drive roller 98 and a forward roller 100. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the drive roller 98 is rotatably supported in fixed relation relative to the camera housing by its end shafts 102, which are carried by support bars 104 of stationary guide members 106 provided with arcuate guide faces 108 confronting the corresponding ends of the drive roller. To perform each successive film processing operation, an appropriate drive mechanism, not shown, is adapted to drive roller 98 in the direction shown by arrow 110 in FIGS. 7 and 8. The end shafts 112 of the forward roller 100 are rotatably carried by a bracket 114 pivotally attached to the camera housing by pins 116. A relatively strong spring 118 biases bracket 114 rearwardly to provide a firm but yieldable nip pressure between the two rollers.

At its opposite ends, the drive roller 98 is provided with annular grooves 120 aligned with the corresponding tabs or cars 52 of the forwardmost film unit. Similar grooves 122 are also located at the ends of the forward roller 100 in alignment with grooves 120.

Deflecting fingers 124 include elongate tips 126 that initially extend into the annular grooves 122 at the corresponding ends of the forward rollers 100, as best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The deflecting fingers are pivotally supported by respective support shafts 128 rotatably carried by the adjacent guide membersand are connected by a cross bar 130 which causes the two fingers to move in unison between their initial forward positions shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 and their subsequent rearward positions shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Slide plates 132 are slidably supported adjacent to the corresponding outer faces of the adjacent guide members 106 by the ends of deflecting finger support shafts 128 extending through elongate slots 134 in those plates. A coil spring 136 biases each slide plate toward its retracted position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and resiliently maintains its base lip 138 in contact with a guide pin 140. In this position, pawl teeth 142 carried by the slide plates are received in slots 54 of the exposable film unit adjacent to the trailing edge of its stiffening bar. A spring support disk 144 is mounted to the end of one of the deflecting finger support shafts 128 adjacent to the outer face of the corresponding slide plate and supports a resilient leaf-type actuating spring 146 received in a slot 148 in the slide plate base lip 138.

As long as the slide plates are retracted by the relatively strong coil springs 136, the weaker leaf spring 146 biases the deflecting fingers to their respective forward positions in which their tips are received entirely within the corresponding grooves 122 in the forward roller 100.

A driving disk 150 is attached to each end shaft 102 of the drive roller and is located between the corresponding slide plate 132 and the support bar 104 of the adjacent guide member 106. A drive pin 152 is mounted to each driving disk and is adapted to engage edge surface 154 of the adjacent slide plate during rotation of roller 98, thereby causing both slide plates to move in unison to their respective extended positions as illustrated in FIG. 8.

After the forwardmost film unit has been exposed, the drive mechanism is energized to initiate rotation of the drive roller, whereupon pins 152 on-the driving disk engage the edge surfaces 154 of the slide plate and move those plates toward their extended positions, as previously described. Accordingly, pawl teeth 142 engage the stiffening bar of the exposed film unit and slide the latter endwise toward the two rollers. By the time pins 152 have moved beyond engagement with surfaces 154, the pawl teeth have fed the stiffening bar of the exposed unit into the roller nip as shown in FIG. 8. Be-

cause the stiffening bar cars 52 are received in grooves in the drive roller, it will be apparent that the forward roller need be displaced only sufficiently to accommodate the thickness of the stiffening bar asthat bar enters the roller nip. When the slide plates arrive at their respective extended positions shown in FIG. 8, they are temporarily retained in that position in order that the rotation of the drive roller can continue without causing reciprocation of the slide plates. This is accomplished by means of a latching member 156 comprising a pair of latching arms 158 pivotally connected to the camera housing by pins 160 and joined by a cross member 162. A relatively weak spring 164 biases the latching member rearwardly so that the latching arms bear against the forward webs 166 of the slide plates that support pawl teeth 142. When the slide plates have moved to their extendedpositions, latch teeth 168 of the latching arms move behind the adjacent edges of the slide plate webs 166 under the influence of spring 164, thus retaining the slide plates in their extended positions. Following the completion of the film processing operation, the latching device is disengaged from the slide plates by an appropriate mechanism, not shown, which is adapted to move car 170 of the latch member rearwardly in opposition to spring 164, thereby allowing springs 136 to return the slide plates to their rexpective initial positions.

As the slide plates move toward their extended positions, the displacement of slide plate slot 148 flexes spring 146 to bias the tips of the deflecting fingers 124 rearwardly toward grooves 120 in the drive roller. Because of the coordination between the movement of the pawl teeth and the flexing of spring 146, the stiffening bar 50 moves behind or under the tips of the separating fingers before spring 146 has displaced the fingers into the grooves of the drive roller. Accordingly,

I as shown in FIG. 8, the tips of the deflecting fingers are resiliently biased rearwardly against the stiffening bar of the film unit before the latter emerges beyond the roller nip.

As the continuing rotation of the rollers drives the stiffening bar through the roller nip, the rearward edges 172 of the deflecting fingers direct the stiffening bar rearwardly into engagement with guide faces 108 of guide members 106, whereby the carrier sheet is guided rearwardly around the drive roller and is directed toward opening 90 in the film casing. Concurrently, as shown in FIG. 9, the endwise movement of the film unit causes the sloped edges 174 of the pawl teeth 142 to remove these teeth from carrier sheet slots 54, by camming the corresponding ends of the slide plates forwardly in opposition to springs 136 and 164. When the edge notches 42 of the carrier sheet move into alignment with the deflecting fingers, the rearward force exerted on those fingers by spring 146 causes them to move into grooves 120 in roller 98 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Because the tongue portion 44 of the carrier sheet is straddled by the separating fingers, it continues to be driven around the drive roller between those fingers. When the leading end of the recording section emerges from the roller nip, however, the deflecting fingers are located behind the leading corners of the image-recording section so that the forward edges 176 of the fingers guide that section into engagement with the forwardly facing surfaces 178 of guide membes 106. These surfaces, in turn, are aligned with an exit slot 180 in end wall 182 of the camera housing,

through which the image-recording section emerges from the camera. AS shown at numeral 184 in FIGS. 6 through 8, slot 180 can be provided with a pair of resilient cover flaps which allow the print card to emerge through the slot but prevent the entrance of stray light or dust into the camera.

Because the leading end of the image-recording section is positively guided along its movement path toward slot 180 while the trailing end of the carrier sheet is being driven rearwardly around roller 98, the adhesive bonds 46 between the carrier sheet and the card are pulled apart as the trailing end of the carrier sheet passes beyond the roller nip. By the time this separation occurs, the stiffening bar of the carrier sheet has entered the rearward compartment 76 and is resiliently biased against'the rearward wall 186 of the film pack casing by spring 92. Because the tongue portion of the carrier sheet is now adjacent to guide faces 108 of the guide members and is narrower than the space between those members or the separating fingers, the carrier sheet can therefore reassume its normal flat condition due to its inherent resiliency, thus causing it to assume the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 10.

'After the carrier sheet has been separated from the image-recording section and has-entered the storage compartment, as 'just described, the continuing rotation of the. drive roller moves the 'image-recordingsection completely through the rollerxnip to complete the processing operation, whereupon the photographer can grasp its leading end and can withdrawthe finished print from the camera.

Following completion of the film processing operation just described, spring 80 moves the next available film unit into exposure position and the latching device is released, for example, by the succeeding operation of the camera shutter. Springs '136 therefore retract the slide plates to-restore the mechanism to its initial condi tion so that the same film processing cycle can be repeated. When the carrier sheet of the next film unit enters the storage compartment, as shown in broken lines in FIG.- 10, its stiffening bar encounters the forwardly facing surface of the preceeding carrier sheet and slides along that sheet behind spring 92. During the final ing a deflecting member that ismovable between a first position for deflecting the carrier and container into an arcuate path around one of the pressure-applying members and a second position for permitting movement of the image-recording section along a rectilinear path to a position accessible from the exterior of the apparatus incorporating the mechanism. In the first position, the deflecting member extends across'the path of movement of the film unit to engage the leading end and top surface of the corner of the unit as the unit is pushed from between the nip of the pressure-applying members. In its second position, the deflecting member is located to be engaged by the opposite surface of the image-'recordingsection to prevent that section from following the carrier and container. Movement of the deflecting member from its first position to its second position is effected by a moving means for applying a resilient force to the deflecting member after it is first engaged by the film unit.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to an illustrative preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A processing camera for exposing and initiating processing of a self-processing film unit, the film unit having first and second separably coupled parts, said camera comprising:

a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members defining a nip for engaging the film unit therebetween and for applying compressive pressure to the film ,unit to effect the processing of the film unit, one of said pressure-applying members being a roller rotatably driveable in engagement with the film unit to apply a transporting force thereto in a first direction tangential to said roller between said members, said force being suitable for progressively moving the film unit between said pressureapplying members and for pushing the film unit beyond said nip; and

means for deflecting the second part of the film unit into an arcuate path diverging from said first direction and for separating the second part from the first part, said means including a member movable from a first position, wherein said member is engageable by the film unit as the film unit is moved between said pressure-applying members for deflecting the second part of the film unit into said arcuate path, to a second position for guiding movement of the first part of the film unit between said pressure-applying members and beyond said nip along a second path.

2. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second path extends in said first direction.

3. A processing camera as claimed in claim lwherein said movable member intercepts said second path in the first position of said movable member.

4. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movablemember intercepts said arcuate path in the secondposition of said movable member to prevent movement of the first part of the film unit into said arcuate path.

5. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable member is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot point between said arcuate path and said second path.

6. A processing camera as claimed in' claim 1 including moving means for resiliently urging said movable member from said first position toward said second position after the film unit is first moved into engagement with said movable member.

7. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 including means defining a chamber for receiving the second part of the film unit after the second part has been separated from the first part, and wherein said arcuate path extends around said roller toward said chamber.

8. A processing camera for use with a self-processing film unit, the film unit including a first part that is exposable and processable to establish a visibly presentable image and a second part useful in processing the first part, the second part comprising waste material and being separable from the first part after initiation of the processing, said camera comprising:

a casing including a first section for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure and a second section for receiving the second part of the film unit after its separation from the first part of the film unit; pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying rollers defining a nip therebetween for engaging the film unit to effect the processing of the film unit, at least one of said rollers being'rotatably driven for applying a transporting force to the film unit in a first direction tangential to said pressure-applying rollersat said nip; feeding means for engaging and feeding the film unit from said exposure position to said pressureapplying rollers such that said at least one driven roller will be effective to progressively transport the film unit through and beyond said nip;

arcuate guide means extending around one of said rollers for guiding the second part of the film unit around said one roller and into said second section of said casing; and

deflecting means in a position to be engaged by movement of the film unit in said first direction from said pressure-applying rollers to deflect the second part of the film unit into engagement with said arcuate guide means, said deflecting means thereafter being movable out of said position so as not to interfere with movement of the first part of the film unit in said first direction beyond said rollers.

9. Photographic apparatus for exposing and initiating processing of a self-processing film unit, the film unit including an image-recording section for recording a processable latent image,.a container for supplying a processing composition to the image-recording section,

and a carrier including means for releasably coupling the container to the image-recording section, said apparatus comprising: I

means for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure to record the latent image in the imagerecording section;

a pair of pressure-applying members for engaging the film unit therebetween to effect the processing of the latent image, at least one of said pressureapplying members being a rotatably driven roller for moving the film unit between and from said members;

means for feeding the film unit from said exposure position to said pressure applying members to initiate the processing of the latent image; and

deflecting mechanism adjacent to said pressureapplying members and including an element movable from a first position, wherein said element is disposed to intercept movement of the film unit from said pressure-applying members and to deflect the carrier and container into an arcuate path around one of said members, to a second position, wherein said element is disposed to guide movement of the image-recording section along a generally rectilinear path from said pressure-applying members toward the exterior of said apparatus and to strip the image-recording section from the container and carrier.

10. Photographic apparatus for exposing and initiating processing of a self-processing film unit having a leading end and first and second opposite side faces, the film unit including an image-recording section and means separably coupled to the image-recording section for supplying a processing composition thereto, said apparatus comprising:

a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members for engaging and applying compressive pressure to the film unit to effect processing of the film unit, at least one of said pressure-applying members being a roller rotatable in engagement with the film unit for transporting the film unit between said members;

means for rotatably driving said roller in engagement with the film unit for applying a force to the film unit tangential to said roller between said members, said force tending to push the film unit from between said members along a rectilinear path;

deflecting means movable between a first position and a second position, said deflecting means when in said first position-extending across said rectilinear path to be engaged by the film unit as it is pushed from between said members to deflect the supplying means out of said rectilinear path and into a second path diverging from said rectilinear path, said deflecting means when in said second position extending across said second path to be engaged by the film unit to prevent the imagerecording section from following the supplying means along said second path, whereby. said supplying means will be'separated from said imagerecording section; and

means for establishing said deflecting means in said first position prior to engagement of said deflecting means by the film unit and for moving said deflecting means to said second position after the film unit is first pushed into engagement with said deflecting means.

11. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said deflecting means when in said first position is located to be engaged by the leading end and first face of the film unit for deflecting the supplying means of the film unit into said second path, and wherein said deflecting means when in said second position is located to be engaged by the second face of the film unit for preventing the image-recording section of the film unit from following the supplying means along said second path.

12. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said moving means resiliently urges said deflecting means from said first position toward said second position after the leading end of the film unit is pushed into engagement with said deflecting means.

13. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said apparatus includes means for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure and a reciprocatable film unit feeding member movable from a first location for engaging the film unit when in said exposure position to a second location for feeding the film unit into engagement with said pressure-applying members, and wherein said moving means includes means coupling said film unit feeding member to said deflecting means for moving said deflecting means from said first position to said second position in response to movement of said film unit feeding member from said first location to said second location.

l4. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim including a waste storage chamber for receiving said .supplying means, said second path extending from befirst and second opposite side faces, the carrier including a cut-out adjacent to the image-recording section through which a member of said camera can pass from the first side face of the film unit to the second side face of the film unit, said camera comprising:

a casing including means for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure to record the latent image; pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members defining a nip therebetween for engaging the film unit to effect processing of the latent image; transporting mechanism for transporting the film unit from the exposure position and through said nip between said pressure-applying members;

a deflecting mechanism including a film unit engaging member generally opposite said pressureapplying members from the exposure position, said film unit engaging member being movable from a first position to a second position, said film unit engaging member when in said first position being located to engage the first side face of the film unit as the film unit is transported through said nip between said pressure-applying members todeflect the carrier and container into an arcuate path extending around one of said pressure-applying members, said film unit engaging member when in said second position being located to engage the second side face of the film unit to deflect the imagerecording section from said arcuate path and thereby separate the image-recording section from thecarrierand container; and

means for moving said film unit engaging member from said first position, through the cut-out in the carrier, to said second position as the film unit is transported through said nip between said pressure-applying members.

16. A processing camera as claimed in claim 15 wherein said casing includes waste receiving means for receiving the container and carrier after their separation from the image-recording section, and wherein said arcuate path is defined by means extendingaround said one pressure-applying member entirely within said casing for directingmovement of the container and 7 gaging member for resiliently urging said film unit engaging member toward. said second position after the film unit is transported into engagement with said film unit engaging member when in said first position.

18. A processing device in a photographic camera for processing an exposed film unit, the film unit including a rectangular picture unit having lateral edges and a leading end defining leading corners having rearward face surfaces, the film unit further including a flexible carrier sheet extending beyond the leading end of the picture unit, the carrier sheet including a leading portion spaced from and at least substantially as wide as the picture unit and a narrower trailing portion separably attached to and partially overlapped by the leading end of the picture unit, the leading portion of the carrier sheet including a leading edge and lateral margins having forward face surfaces, the trailing portion of the carrier sheet having lateral edges spaced inwardly from the lateral edges of the picture unit to provide lateral openings in the film unit in advance of the leading corners of the picture unit, said device comprising:

a pair of juxtaposed pressure members defining a pressure nip for engaging the film unit to effect the processing thereof;

drive means for effecting an endwise movement of the film unit through said nip after the film unit has been exposed;

a pair of deflecting fingers defining tips and supported for movementbetween respective first positions, in which said tips are located adjacent to the forward face surfaces of the lateral margins of the leading portion of the carrier sheet as the endwise movement of the film unit through said nip moves the leading portion of the carrier sheet along a first movement path, and respective second positions, in which said tips extend through the lateral openings in the film unit and are engaged by the rearward face surfaces of the leading corners of the picture'unit to direct the leading end of the picture unit along a second movement path forwardly of and diverging from the first movement path; and

finger displacing means for moving said fingers from said first positions to said second positions when the endwise movement of the film unit has brought the lateral openings in the film unit into alignment with said tips of said fingers.

19. A device as claimed in claim l8wherein said pressure members comprise a forward roller and a rearward roller, said forward roller including two annular grooves adapted to receive said tips of said fingers when said fingers are in said first positions, said rearward roller including two similar annular grooves adapted to receive said tips of said fingers when said fingers are in said second positions.

20. A device as claimed in claim 18 including stationary guide means engageable with the leading portion of the carrier sheet to guide the leading. portion at least part way along the first movement path, said fingers including rearwardly facing edge surfaces engageable by the leading edge of the leading portion of the carrier sheet as it emerges from said nip to direct the leading portion rearwardly into engagement with said guide means.

21. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said finger displacing means includes spring means for resiliently biasing said fingers toward said second positions as the endwise movement of the film unit brings the leading portion of the carrier sheet into engageable re- 3 ,77 1 ,426 15 16 lation with said fin ers, whereb said fin ers ress rearmeans ivotall su ortin said fin ers for movement g g P P y PP g g wardly against the leading portion of the carrier sheet between Said first and second positions then ,move through. h lateral opemtigs m the mm 23. A device as claimed in claim 18 including conunlt to said second positions as the endwise movement of the film unit brings the lateral openings in the film necttng means JOIIlll'lg said fingers so that said fingers unit into alignment with Said tips f Said fingem move in unison between said first and second positions.

22. A device as claimed in claim 18 including pivot 

1. A processing camera for exposing and initiating processing of a self-processing film unit, the film unit having first and second separably coupled parts, said camera comprising: a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members defining a nip for engaging the film unit therebetween and for applying compressive pressure to the film unit to effect the processing of the film unit, one of said pressure-applying members being a roller rotatably driveable in engagement with the film unit to apply a transporting force thereto in a first direction tangential to said roller between said members, said force being suitable for progressively moving the film unit between said pressure-applying members and for pushing the film unit beyond said nip; and means for deflecting the second part of the film unit into an arcuate path diverging from said first direction and for separating the second part from the first part, said means including a member movable from a first position, wherein said member is engageable by the film unit as the film unit is moved between said pressure-applying members for deflecting the second part of the film unit into said arcuate path, to a second position for guiding movement of the first part of the film unit between said pressure-applying members and beyond said nip along a second path.
 2. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second path extends in said first direction.
 3. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable member intercepts said second path in the first position of said movable member.
 4. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable member intercepts said arcuate path in the second position of said movable member to prevent movement of the first part of the film unit into said arcuate path.
 5. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable member is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot point between said arcuate path and said second path.
 6. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 including moving means for resiliently urging said movable member from said first position toward said second position after the film unit is first moved into engagement with said movable member.
 7. A processing camera as claimed in claim 1 including means defining a chamber for receiving the second part of the film unit after the second part has been separated from the first part, and wherein said arcuate path extends around said roller toward said chamber.
 8. A processing camera for use with a self-processing film unit, the film unit including a first part that is exposable and processable to establish a visibly presentable image and a second part useful in processing the first part, the second part comprising waste material and being separable from the first part after initiation of the processing, said camera comprising: a casing including a first section for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure and a second section for receiving the second part of the film unit after its separation from the first part of the film unit; a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying rollers defiNing a nip therebetween for engaging the film unit to effect the processing of the film unit, at least one of said rollers being rotatably driven for applying a transporting force to the film unit in a first direction tangential to said pressure-applying rollers at said nip; feeding means for engaging and feeding the film unit from said exposure position to said pressure-applying rollers such that said at least one driven roller will be effective to progressively transport the film unit through and beyond said nip; arcuate guide means extending around one of said rollers for guiding the second part of the film unit around said one roller and into said second section of said casing; and deflecting means in a position to be engaged by movement of the film unit in said first direction from said pressure-applying rollers to deflect the second part of the film unit into engagement with said arcuate guide means, said deflecting means thereafter being movable out of said position so as not to interfere with movement of the first part of the film unit in said first direction beyond said rollers.
 9. Photographic apparatus for exposing and initiating processing of a self-processing film unit, the film unit including an image-recording section for recording a processable latent image, a container for supplying a processing composition to the image-recording section, and a carrier including means for releasably coupling the container to the image-recording section, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure to record the latent image in the image-recording section; a pair of pressure-applying members for engaging the film unit therebetween to effect the processing of the latent image, at least one of said pressure-applying members being a rotatably driven roller for moving the film unit between and from said members; means for feeding the film unit from said exposure position to said pressure-applying members to initiate the processing of the latent image; and a deflecting mechanism adjacent to said pressure-applying members and including an element movable from a first position, wherein said element is disposed to intercept movement of the film unit from said pressure-applying members and to deflect the carrier and container into an arcuate path around one of said members, to a second position, wherein said element is disposed to guide movement of the image-recording section along a generally rectilinear path from said pressure-applying members toward the exterior of said apparatus and to strip the image-recording section from the container and carrier.
 10. Photographic apparatus for exposing and initiating processing of a self-processing film unit having a leading end and first and second opposite side faces, the film unit including an image-recording section and means separably coupled to the image-recording section for supplying a processing composition thereto, said apparatus comprising: a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members for engaging and applying compressive pressure to the film unit to effect processing of the film unit, at least one of said pressure-applying members being a roller rotatable in engagement with the film unit for transporting the film unit between said members; means for rotatably driving said roller in engagement with the film unit for applying a force to the film unit tangential to said roller between said members, said force tending to push the film unit from between said members along a rectilinear path; deflecting means movable between a first position and a second position, said deflecting means when in said first position extending across said rectilinear path to be engaged by the film unit as it is pushed from between said members to deflect the supplying means out of said rectilinear path and into a second path diverging from said rectilinear path, said deflecting means when in said second position extending across said second path to be engaged by the film unit to prevent the image-recording section from following the supplying means along said second path, whereby said supplying means will be separated from said image-recording section; and means for establishing said deflecting means in said first position prior to engagement of said deflecting means by the film unit and for moving said deflecting means to said second position after the film unit is first pushed into engagement with said deflecting means.
 11. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said deflecting means when in said first position is located to be engaged by the leading end and first face of the film unit for deflecting the supplying means of the film unit into said second path, and wherein said deflecting means when in said second position is located to be engaged by the second face of the film unit for preventing the image-recording section of the film unit from following the supplying means along said second path.
 12. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said moving means resiliently urges said deflecting means from said first position toward said second position after the leading end of the film unit is pushed into engagement with said deflecting means.
 13. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said apparatus includes means for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure and a reciprocatable film unit feeding member movable from a first location for engaging the film unit when in said exposure position to a second location for feeding the film unit into engagement with said pressure-applying members, and wherein said moving means includes means coupling said film unit feeding member to said deflecting means for moving said deflecting means from said first position to said second position in response to movement of said film unit feeding member from said first location to said second location.
 14. Photographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including a waste storage chamber for receiving said supplying means, said second path extending from between said pressure-applying members around one of said members and to said waste storage chamber.
 15. A processing camera for use with a self-processing film unit, the film unit including a pre-registered integral image-recording section for recording a latent image that is processable to establish a visible image, a container for supplying a processing fluid to the image-recording section, and a carrier permanently attached to the container and releasably coupled to the image-recording section, the film unit defining first and second opposite side faces, the carrier including a cut-out adjacent to the image-recording section through which a member of said camera can pass from the first side face of the film unit to the second side face of the film unit, said camera comprising: a casing including means for receiving the film unit in a position for exposure to record the latent image; a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members defining a nip therebetween for engaging the film unit to effect processing of the latent image; a transporting mechanism for transporting the film unit from the exposure position and through said nip between said pressure-applying members; a deflecting mechanism including a film unit engaging member generally opposite said pressure-applying members from the exposure position, said film unit engaging member being movable from a first position to a second position, said film unit engaging member when in said first position being located to engage the first side face of the film unit as the film unit is transported through said nip between said pressure-applying members to deflect the carrier and container into an arcuate path extending around one of said pressure-applying members, said film unit engaging member when in said second position being located to engage the second side face of the film unit to deflect the image-recording section from said arcuate path and thereby separate the imagE-recording section from the carrier and container; and means for moving said film unit engaging member from said first position, through the cut-out in the carrier, to said second position as the film unit is transported through said nip between said pressure-applying members.
 16. A processing camera as claimed in claim 15 wherein said casing includes waste receiving means for receiving the container and carrier after their separation from the image-recording section, and wherein said arcuate path is defined by means extending around said one pressure-applying member entirely within said casing for directing movement of the container and carrier from said nip to said waste receiving means.
 17. A processing camera as claimed in claim 15 wherein said one pressure-applying member is a rotatable roller, wherein said transporting mechanism includes feeding means for feeding the film unit from the exposure position to said nip between said pressure-applying members and driving means for rotatably driving said roller to push the film unit from said nip, and wherein said moving means includes a resilient coupling between said feeding means and said film unit engaging member for resiliently urging said film unit engaging member toward said second position after the film unit is transported into engagement with said film unit engaging member when in said first position.
 18. A processing device in a photographic camera for processing an exposed film unit, the film unit including a rectangular picture unit having lateral edges and a leading end defining leading corners having rearward face surfaces, the film unit further including a flexible carrier sheet extending beyond the leading end of the picture unit, the carrier sheet including a leading portion spaced from and at least substantially as wide as the picture unit and a narrower trailing portion separably attached to and partially overlapped by the leading end of the picture unit, the leading portion of the carrier sheet including a leading edge and lateral margins having forward face surfaces, the trailing portion of the carrier sheet having lateral edges spaced inwardly from the lateral edges of the picture unit to provide lateral openings in the film unit in advance of the leading corners of the picture unit, said device comprising: a pair of juxtaposed pressure members defining a pressure nip for engaging the film unit to effect the processing thereof; drive means for effecting an endwise movement of the film unit through said nip after the film unit has been exposed; a pair of deflecting fingers defining tips and supported for movement between respective first positions, in which said tips are located adjacent to the forward face surfaces of the lateral margins of the leading portion of the carrier sheet as the endwise movement of the film unit through said nip moves the leading portion of the carrier sheet along a first movement path, and respective second positions, in which said tips extend through the lateral openings in the film unit and are engaged by the rearward face surfaces of the leading corners of the picture unit to direct the leading end of the picture unit along a second movement path forwardly of and diverging from the first movement path; and finger displacing means for moving said fingers from said first positions to said second positions when the endwise movement of the film unit has brought the lateral openings in the film unit into alignment with said tips of said fingers.
 19. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said pressure members comprise a forward roller and a rearward roller, said forward roller including two annular grooves adapted to receive said tips of said fingers when said fingers are in said first positions, said rearward roller including two similar annular grooves adapted to receive said tips of said fingers when said fingers are in said second positions.
 20. A device as claimed in claim 18 including stationary guide means engageable with the leadIng portion of the carrier sheet to guide the leading portion at least part way along the first movement path, said fingers including rearwardly facing edge surfaces engageable by the leading edge of the leading portion of the carrier sheet as it emerges from said nip to direct the leading portion rearwardly into engagement with said guide means.
 21. A device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said finger displacing means includes spring means for resiliently biasing said fingers toward said second positions as the endwise movement of the film unit brings the leading portion of the carrier sheet into engageable relation with said fingers, whereby said fingers press rearwardly against the leading portion of the carrier sheet and then move through the lateral openings in the film unit to said second positions as the endwise movement of the film unit brings the lateral openings in the film unit into alignment with said tips of said fingers.
 22. A device as claimed in claim 18 including pivot means pivotally supporting said fingers for movement between said first and second positions.
 23. A device as claimed in claim 18 including connecting means joining said fingers so that said fingers move in unison between said first and second positions. 